However, as Brendan Rodgers’ side started to struggle, so too did the ex-Inter Milan youngster, and the attacking midfielder was largely ineffectual as the former manager’s reign ended with a whimper in the first weekend in October.

Jurgen Klopp’s arrival has steadily rebuilt the confidence and consistency of Coutinho, and the Reds have reaped the rewards in emphatic style of late.

Coutinho was Chelsea’s chief tormenter on October 31 as Liverpool struck their first significant result of the Klopp era with a 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old notched a brace against Jose Mourinho’s crumbling champions last month and followed it up with a well taken goal against Crystal Palace prior to the international break.

The invention and ingenuity of Coutinho’s natural game was there for all to see on Saturday as a rampant Reds side hammered title favourites Manchester City 4-1 at the Etihad, and if creativity is to be expected from the Anfield side’s No.10, it is another facet of his game that will be especially pleasing to Klopp.

The high-intensity pressing game favoured by the German has started to rear itself in performances for the five-time European Cup winners, and Coutinho has been a key lieutenant for Klopp as he tries to implement his ideas for the side he took charge of last month.

Philippe Coutinho: Has won possession in the final third more times (15) than any other player in the PL this season #LFC

Coutinho is also adding more goals to his game under the ex-Borussia Dortmund coach, with his chance conversion percentage up to an impressive 40% since Klopp took charge in October, and the victory over Manuel Pellegrini’s men was the only time in his Liverpool career that the midfielder has scored and claimed an assist in the same game.

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is arguably the Premier League’s elite playmaker operating centrally behind a striker, but the challenge for Coutinho should now to try and maintain a consistency that forces comparisons with the peerless Spain international.

The Brazilian is currently sidelined with a minor hamstring problem however, and is highly unlikely to play a part in the Europa League clash with Bordeaux at Anfield on Thursday.

Coutinho could return when Swansea City visit Anfield on Sunday though, and given his rich vein of form, the Selecao international could once again make the difference for Klopp’s rapidly improving and upwardly mobile Liverpool side.

Paul Gorst

A sports reporter for the Daily Mirror, Paul divides his time with Mirror Online alongside Sports Mole and TOPPS Kick. Paul has been a football writer for around five years and has had his work featured by the likes of Mail Online, LFC.tv, the Liverpool Echo and Mercury Press agency amongst others.